May 7th
'What is love?' Eddward muses to himself as he sits at the very center of the bleachers watching a certain red-headed quarterback dominate the field. 'Surely if I were in love, it would be obvious, would it not?' Sighing sadly, he drags his hand down the side of his face. He's been having this internal argument with himself since freshman year.
After the confrontation with Eddy's brother in the summer following their last year in middle school, a spark seemed to have been lit within the cul-de-sac's resident nerd. He decided that that was the last time he'd be pushed around by anyone, no matter how big or bad they think they are. That spark turned into a flame. He developed a competitive streak to rival the world's greatest Olympians, and completely reinvented himself.
While the other cul-de-sac kids took notice of their quiet friend's odd behavioral changes, he took notice of the very redhead he's watching right now. It didn't take long for Eddward to realize he's about as gay as they come. When he showed up to the Peach County High School, he immediately signed up for the swim and baseball teams. Halfway through the first semester, he came out as gay and dared anybody to say a word to him about it, then beat the first and only person to do so. Since it wasn't on school property and he was breaking one record after another, he didn't get in a bit of trouble for it.
It was on the baseball team that he and Kevin truly began to bond. Kevin was playing baseball and football, and was as amazing as Eddward was. What surprised everyone was that Eddy was better. By the end of the first semester it was widely known around the school that Eddy was the star pitcher, Eddward excelled at swimming, Kevin was the best quarterback the school had ever seen, and Ed was a godsend of a linebacker. Eddward was dubbed the Shark, and finished out freshman year the top of his class.
Sophomore year brought about some changes. Eddward and Kevin dropped baseball in favor of sticking to their other chosen sports. Eddy became the youngest baseball team captain the school had seen in years. Ed, with a bit of help from Eddward, managed to maintain a B+ average in all his classes. After his spot on the football team was locked into place, Kevin revealed to his peers that he was in a relationship with one Nat Goldberg, who had just moved to Peach Creek from New York, New York and was dominating the basketball court. Eddward's heart broke, but he continued to maintain his friendship with Kevin, and discovered that he quite liked the tall, flamboyant basketball superstar. Together, Kevin, Nat, and the three Eds were known as the Kings of Peach County, with the Nazz, the Queen, right beside them. Right before the end of their first semester as sophomores, Kevin and Nat had a mutual breakup. They just worked better as friends. There was no bickering or rude comments, they simply slid right into their old friendship, satisfied that they would never work as 'them.'
Second semester, they all made sure to attend every single game and meet that was had. Nazz was their best cheerleader. Records were kept, and once the coaches realized how much better their star players did when their cohorts were in attendance, games and meets were scheduled to allow for it. That year, the basketball, baseball, football, and swim teams all made it to their state championships and won. The celebrations lasted well into the summer.
Junior year brought about more changes. Eddward was made the captain of the swim team. Kevin was made the football team's captain, with Ed as co-captain, Nat was made the basketball team captain, and Eddy maintained his captainship and started dating Nazz. The coaches kept up their tendency to make sure games and meets were scheduled so that their stars could all attend, and it paid off.
So here they were: Kevin and Ed on the field, winning 42-7 against Lemon Brook, Nazz cheering her heart out, and Nat, Eddy, Eddward, and the rest of the cul-de-sac kids sitting in the bleachers. Eddward is still attempting to convince himself that he is not in love with Kevin Barr when said redhead makes a particularly spectacular touchdown and Eddward is out of his seat, roaring in happiness at the success of one of his closest friends. Nat shoots him a knowing grin, but Eddward is still screaming and doesn't notice in the least.